Pocket comb with foldable teeth



Sept. 8, 1964 G. D. ELLIOTT POCKET COME WITH FOLDABLE TEETH Filed June 1, 1961 Fig. 3

1N VEN TOR.

United States Patent '"ce 3,147,758 POCKET COME WITH FOLDABLE TEETH George D. Elliott, 1730 Corte Alegre,

Alamogordo, N. Mex. Filed June 1, 1961, Ser. No. 114,217 7 Claims. (Cl. 132-151) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in hair combs and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which is adapted to be expeditiously folded and carried in a pocket ready for convenient use at all times, substantially in the manner of a pocket fountain pen.

Another very important object of the present invention is to provide a pocket comb of the aforementioned character which comprises unique means for folding and unfolding the teeth and positively securing said teeth in open or operative position for use.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a pocket comb of the character described wherein the head assembly with the teeth thereof folded is telescopically engageable in a tubular handle, thus greatly decreasing the length of the device when it is not in use.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a folding pocket comb of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, showing a pocket comb embodying the present invention folded or collapsed;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view, showing the device open and ready for use;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view in vertical longitudinal section through the forward portion of the open device;

FIGURE 4 is a view in transverse section, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through the forward end portion of the open device, showing the teeth in folded position.

Referring now to the drawing in detail it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a tubular handle 6 of suitable dimensions and material. The handle 6, which is essentially oval in cross-section, includes a closed rear or inner end 7. The other or forward end of the tubular handle 6 is open and has formed therein a circumferential flange 8.

Telescopically mounted in the tubular handle 6 is a head assembly or unit which is designated generally by reference numeral 9. The head 9 includes a carriage 10 in the form of a block or body 11 of oval cross-section which is slidable longitudinally in the tubular handle 6. Extending longitudinally through the block 11 is an OK- center bore or passage 12 the major portion of which is counterbored, as indicated at 13.

Rotatably mounted on the block 11 and projecting forwardly therefrom is a tubular housing 14 having therein a longitudinal slot 15. The tubular housing 14 includes a reduced inner or rear end portion 16 which is journalled in the counterbore or enlargement 13 of the bore or passage 12. The reduced end portion 16 of the tubular housing 14 provides a bearing 17 for a longitudinal shaft 18 which has its rear end portion fixed, as at 19, in the bore 12 of the block 11. The forward end portion of the shaft 18 is journaled in a socket-type bearing 20 which is 7 3,147,758 Patented Sept. 8, 1964 provided therefor in the closed forward end portion 21 of the tubular housing 14.

Mounted to swing or fold longitudinally on the tubular housing 14 and operable in the slot 15 is a series of tapered teeth 22. The teeth 22 include on their inner end or base portions transverse pins or trunnions 23 (see FIG. 4) which are journaled in bearings 24 provided therefor in the tubular housing 14 adjacent the opposite sides of the slot 15. The lower or base portion of the forwardmost tooth 22 is provided with a segmental lug or ear 25 the purpose of which will be presently set forth.

As also shown to advantage in FIGURE 4 of the drawing, the pivoted ends 23 of the teeth 22 extend transversely across the shaft 18. The shaft 18 has formed integrally therewith a plurality of circumferential cams 26 which are engageable between the pivoted end portions of the teeth 22 for swinging said teeth upwardly to an erected or operative position Also formed integrally with the shaft 18, adjacent the bearing 20, is a cam or eccentric 27 which is engageable with the lug or ear 25 for folding or closing the teeth 22.

It is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, when the comb is not in use the head unit or assembly 9 is enclosed in the tubular handle 6 in the manner shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawing. Thus, a narrow tubular package of light weight is provided which may be conveniently carried in the pocket. If desired, the handle 6 may be provided with a suitable clip for securing the device in the pocket. A closure member 28 is provided on the forward end portion 21 of the tubular housing 14 for closing the portion of the open forward end of the tube 6 which is not closed by said housing. When the comb is to be used, the head unit or assembly 9 is pulled outwardly from the tubular handle 6 in the manner shown in FIGURE 5 of the drawing. Then, holding the tubular housing 14 with one hand, the handle 6 is rotated with the other hand. In this manner the shaft 18 is turned in the housing 14 for engaging the cams 26 between the pivoted inner end portions of the teeth 22 for swinging said teeth upwardly to open or operative position as shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawing. To close the comb the foregoing procedure is substantially reversed. That is, the handle 6 is turned in the opposite direction relative to the housing 14, thus disengaging the cams 26 from between the teeth 22. When this occurs the cam 27 engages the lug or ear 25 and forces the forwardmost tooth 22 downwardly and rearwardly to folded position, said forwardmost tooth, in turn, swinging the remaining teeth downwardly to folded position in an obvious manner. The head unit or assembly 9 may then be returned to the tubular handle 6. When in collapsed or folded position the components of the head assembly 9 are fully protected from dust, dirt, etc., and maintained in a thoroughly sanitary condition. When the device is opened the construction and arrangement is such that a rigid, easily used comb is provided.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What isclaimed as new is as follows:

1. A pocket comb comprising a head assembly including a tubular housing having a longitudinal slot therein, a series of spaced, independent foldable teeth pivotally mounted in the housing and operable in the slot, a longitudinal shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, and cams on said shaft engageable between the individual teeth for swinging same to open position, and means on the shaft for returning the teeth to closed position.

2. A pocket comb according to claim 1, wherein said means includes a lug on the pivoted end portion of one of the end teeth, and a cam on the shaft ope-ratively engageable with said lug for swinging said end tooth to closed position and thereby successively swinging the other teeth to said closed position.

' 3. A pocket comb comprising an elongated handle, a longitudinally projecting shaft on one end of said handle, a tubular housing rotatable on the shaft, said housing having a longitudinal slot therein, a series of spaced, independent foldable teeth pivotally mounted in the housing and operable in the slot and cams on the shaft engageable between the pivoted end portions of the individual teeth for actuating said teeth to and securing said teeth in an operative position in response to relative rotary movement between the shaft and the housing, and means for successively returning the teeth to an inoperative position in response to relative rotary movement between the shaft and the housing.

4. A pocket comb in accordance with claim 3, said means including a lug on the pivoted end portion of one of the end teeth, and a cam on the shaft operatively engageable with said lug.

5. A pocket comb comprising a tubular handle, a block slidable in said handle, a shaft mounted on the block and adapted to project from one end of the handle, a tubular housing rotatable on the shaft and having a longitudinal slot therein, a series of spaced, independent foldable teeth pivotally mounted in the housing and operable in the slot, cams on the shaft engageable between the pivoted end portions of the teeth for actuating said teeth to an operative position in unison, and means for successively returning the teeth to an inoperative position.

6. A pocket comb comprising a tubular handle, a block slidable in said handle, a shaft mounted on the block and adapted to project from one end of the handle, a tubular housing rotatable on the shaft and having a longitudinal slot therein, a series of spaced, independent foldable teeth pivotally mounted in the housing and operable in the slot, cams on the shaft engageable between the pivoted end portions of the teeth for actuating said teeth to an operative position in unison, and means for successively returning the teeth to an inoperative position, said means including a lug on one of the end teeth, and a cam on the shaft operatively engageable with said lug.

7. A pocket comb comprising an elongated tubular handle, a block longitudinally slidably but non-rotatably mounted in said handle, a shaft fixed on said block and adapted to project from one end of the handle, a tubular housing journaled on the block and enclosing the shaft, said housing having a longitudinal slot therein, a series of spaced, independent foldable teeth pivotally mounted in the housing and operable in the slot, means on the shaft engageable between the pivoted end portions of the teeth for opening the teeth in unison and securing same in open position, and means for successively closing said teeth.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 597,121 Norton Jan. 11, 1898 1,302,247 Troy Apr. 29, 1919 2,577,991 Zurndorfer Dec. 11, 1951 2,618,276 Hamparson et a1 Nov. 18, 1952 2,981,965 Kaye et al May 2, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 966,170 France Mar. 1, 1950 

1. A POCKET COMB COMPRISING A HEAD ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A TUBULAR HOUSING HAVING A LONGITUDINAL SLOT THEREIN, A SERIES OF SPACED, INDEPENDENT FOLDABLE TEETH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED IN THE HOUSING AND OPERABLE IN THE SLOT, A LONGITUDINAL SHAFT ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN THE HOUSING, AND CAMS ON SAID SHAFT ENGAGEABLE BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL TEETH FOR SWINGING SAME TO OPEN POSITION, AND MEANS ON THE SHAFT FOR RETURNING THE TEETH TO CLOSED POSITION. 